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Big Air Boost Fest, an epic kiteboarding day in Jupiter

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With the projected huge winds coming, Damien Leroy created the event to be a big air and megaloop contest for kitesurfing in Jupiter on Jan. 8. An unidentified kitesurfer takes advantage of the winds that day. LORI GRIFFITH/SPECIAL TO THE COURIER NEWSWEEKLY

The Jan 8 Big Air Boost Fest drew 90 competitors of all skill levels to Jupiter. With only three days' notice, internationally acclaimed kitesurfer Damien Leroy pulled together the contest. People lined the stairways and filled the beach. LORI GRIFFITH/SPECIAL TO THE COURIER NEWSWEEKLY

With only three days' notice, Damien Leroy pulled together an event with competitors coming from points all across the state for the inaugural Big Air Boost Fest. The community response in Jupiter was insane, with people lining the stairways and filling the beach. Jacob Olivier competes in the Jan. 8 event. LORI GRIFFITH/SPECIAL TO THE COURIER NEWSWEEKLY

Who knew something put together in three days -- that was a free fun event and the prize was a rock -- would be such a success? The event drew 90 competitors of all skill levels. One unidentified competitor takes a moment to celebrate. LORI GRIFFITH/SPECIAL TO THE COURIER NEWSWEEKLY

Jon Modica, who entered the inaugural Big Air Boost Fest on Jan. 8 and hadn’t ridden a twin tip in years, said he was having more and more fun every time he went in the water, LORI GRIFFITH/SPECIAL TO THE COURIER NEWSWEEKLY

When Damien Leroy sets his mind to something, he sure doesn’t disappoint.

Checking the forecast and noticing a huge cold front approaching, years of reading the winds told him an epic day was on tap for Jupiter.

With only three days' notice, Leroy pulled together a kiteboarding event on Jan. 8 with competitors coming from points all across Florida for the inaugural Big Air Boost Fest.

The community response in Jupiter was insane — with people lining the stairways and filling the beach.

Anyone, at most skill levels, could enter

Making this competition unique was Leroy’s concept of creating an event that anyone, at most skill levels, could enter.

“I wanted this to be user-friendly," he said.

"There’s a super-technical side to competitions, which keeps a lot of people from entering contests because they feel there is no hope of winning since it’s all about tricks. Once you go super-technical, you eliminate all the people that are normal riders, and then the pros won’t go until they know who the other pros entering are," Leroy said.

"And, you kind of know who is going to win or be in the top five because of how talented they are technically. But when it comes to 'big air,' it’s pretty straight forward. ... You jump big and you win.”

Big air and megaloop contest

With the projected huge winds coming, Leroy created the event to strictly be a big air and megaloop contest, saying, “We all got into this sport because of watching someone jump and be like 'Wow — that’s so awesome.' Jumps didn’t have to look pretty; it was all about height."

The event drew 90 competitors of all skill levels.

Jon Modica entered and hadn’t ridden a twin tip in years. He said he was having more and more fun every time he went in the water, even knowing he couldn’t jump high enough to win. It was purely a fun event.

Kent Marinkovic, of Pryde Group, hadn’t ridden or kited in a long time, according to Leroy.

“He used to be an Olympic wind surfer and showed up to compete. The guy hasn’t jumped in years. All these people showed up to compete because everyone can jump, so everyone had a chance to do good,” Leroy said.

Real rock of a trophy

Lacking a trophy, Leroy laughs recalling he and his father rummaging through “stuff in my house I’ve been given over the years."

"I had this rock, and we drilled a hole in it and made it into a necklace. The perfect trophy! The winner got a rock. How crazy is that?”

Sun Bum, NP and Lululemon also contributed giveaways for the day.

Taking home the coveted rock — and being named National Big Air Champion — was Aaron McClearnon of Elite Watersport in Tampa.

Melissa Gil, of MG Surfline, took first place for the women; and Jeremy Lund, of New Wave Kiteboarding, claimed the Best Kite Loop.

“This was an all-day event and anyone could throw kiteloops,” Leroy said, adding, “We would jot down who was leading at the time and it continued to get better throughout the day. Jeremy crushed it.”

'So much fun'

Lund, owner of New Wave Kiteboarding, has been kiteboarding since 2004 and has been teaching the sport since 2007.

His perspective on Boost Fest: “It was so much fun to be able to enjoy a kiteboarding event in my own backyard. It's been a long time since this style of event has been hosted in our local waters. I was really amazed and impressed by the number of people and respectable athletes that were able to attend on such short notice — and everyone was really excited to participate.

"To me, the most impressive and enjoyable thing was to see the next generation of young kiters participating. I know a majority of them, but it's been a long time since I have seen them in action; and it was amazing how well they are riding. It was an enjoyable challenge to keep up with them!" Lund said.

"During the event, my main focus was the megaloop. Essentially this is using the kite to perform an arial stunt in which the kite loops around itself and propels the rider through the air at impressive speeds and new heights. People always ask me, 'What is it like to do a megaloop?'

"The answer is simple — it is completely mind-freeing. The amount of focus and consequential adrenaline boost that is received during this stunt is very addicting — and I can’t get enough.”

Who knew something put together in three days, that was a free, fun event and the prize was a rock ... would be such a success?